How far is South River, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance from South River, NJ to Paterson, NJ is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.4 miles (55.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township of New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South River and Paterson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South River and Paterson.
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1
Start on Main Street
2013 ft · 36 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto Hillside Avenue
111 m · 12 sec · Hillside Avenue
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3
Continue on Milltown Road
137 m · 12 sec · Milltown Road
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4
Take the ramp straight
89 m · 12 sec
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5
Keep slight right
916 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
2.9 mi · 4 min · State Route 18
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North: Newark
1359 ft · 43 sec
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8
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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9
Continue straight
969 ft · 17 sec
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10
Continue straight
1162 ft · 20 sec
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11
Continue straight
5.9 mi · 9 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward GSP Toll North: Garden State Parkway
2305 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.1 mi · 35 min · Garden State Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward NJ 19: Paterson
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Grand Street, Del Water Gap
96 m · 8 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Street
783 ft · 23 sec
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18
Turn right onto Grand Street
941 ft · 27 sec · Grand Street
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19
Turn left onto Main Street
1458 ft · 29 sec · Main Street
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20
Turn right onto Market Street
138 m · 16 sec · Market Street
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21
Turn left onto Colt Street
13 m · 3 sec · Colt Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Colt Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South River and Paterson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garden State Parkway
Merge slight left onto Garden State Parkway
25.1 mi · 00h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving South River and Chance Rain Showers near Paterson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South River to Paterson?
The road trip is about 41.4 miles (66.6 km) and usually takes 00h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cranford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from South River and 21.5 miles from Paterson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.4 miles (55.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.97 one way or $11.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around South River and Chance Rain Showers near Paterson.
Stop Ideas Near Cranford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Lot
City of Elizabeth
Bloomfield Municipal Building
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cranford.
Metropark station
Newark Liberty International Airport
Pennsylvania Station
New Brunswick station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South River and Paterson. Straight-line distance: 34.37 mi (55.32 km).
#1 South River
Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey
| Population | 15,624 |
| Coordinates | 40.4464900, -74.3859800 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Paterson
The third most populous city in New Jersey.
| Population | 144,801 |
| Coordinates | 40.9167700, -74.1718100 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colt Street (-74.171665, 40.916732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $5.97 | $11.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $6.71 | $13.43 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $7.23 | $14.47 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $8.73 | $17.46 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in New Jersey · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.